Easel



Jan. 12, 1932. R. EBURNE ET AL 1,840,659

EASEL Filed Dec. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 12, 1932. R, EBURNE ET AL y 1,840,659

EASEL Filed Dec. 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @www 6. CML

@Marzi ety Patented Jan. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PrvrlsrNr OFFICE ROBERT EBURNE, OF SOMERVILLE, AND ROBERT WIRTH, OF EVERETT, MASSACHU- SETTS, ASSIGNORS T'O THE HOUSH C0., INC., 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A. COR- PORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS EASEL Application led December 19, 19,29. Serial No. 415,250.

This invention relates to easels used to support pictures or picture frames, calendars, books kand the like in an upright position.

@ne object of our invention is to provide an easel which may be made cheaply of a lowpriced material and in great quantities by a very simple operation which has a stopping arrangement to prevent the easel from being forced too far away from the backing sheet of the picture, which wouldresult in the picture assuming a too nearly horizontal position or, at least, tip too far backwardly. Another object is to provide an easel with another stopping arrangement which will prevent it, after being placed in position, from closing or moving toward the backing sheet, which would result in the picture falling forward on its face.

Still another object iste provide an easel with both of these stopping arrangements and still make it of one piece of material, at practically no eXtra cost.

The foregoing and'other objects which will appeark as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, combination and arrangement of parts such as is disclosed by the drawings. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modifications, and, therefore., we are not to be limited to the construction disclosed by the drawings; but are entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of our claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a simple form of our easel in supporting position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another simple form of our easel in supporting position.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of ythe easel shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side` elevation of the easel shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the features of both easels combined in one and in supporting position, with part of the backing sheet corrugated.

Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5 without the corrugations.

Figure 7 is a rear perspective of the easel shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6 `with the easel closed, that is, Hush against the backing sheet.

Figure 8 -is a perspective view of our easel provided with hinges.

Figure 9 is an enlarged cross section on the lines 9 9 of Figure 5 or" a corrugated portion of the backing sheet.

- Our easel may be made of paper, cardboard, pressboard, rubber, metal or any other suitable material, and is -preferabl made of one piece of material for reasons o economy, although it may be ymade in sections if desired.

As illustrated the easel consists of an upper or attaching portion 10 which isattached to the back or backing sheet 11 of a picture or picture frame by one or more brads or pins 12, or by past-ing, or both. Practically the whole of this upper portion 1() should be held iiush against the backing sheet. `Between said upper portion and the supporting portion 13, which constitutes the remainder 'of our easel, is a score or incision 14 which extends part way across said supporting portion, which score serves the purpose of a hinge, permitting said supporting portion 13 to be freely moved away from or towards the backing sheet 11. The distance between said backing sheet and the supporting portion 13 determines the angle at which the picture or frame rests en a shelf or other flat surface. A slit 15 is made in said supporting portion 13 which extends from a point higher than the score 14 well down into said portion 13. The finger 16 is the portion between said slit 15 and the left edge ofthe easel, and it serves as a stop, later described. Between the top edge of said linger 16 and the lower edge of the projecting part 17 of the attaching portion 10 is a small cut-out-18 which is made by slicing a small piece off the top end of said finger 16. Then the easel is serving its purpose as a support, as in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, said finger16 -is in contact with the lower edge of the projecting part 17, thus providing a stop which limits the outward movement of the ,unattached portion .of the easel. Thus the supporting portion of theeasel cannot normally scribed is the one shown in Figure 1 and as thus made it will support a picture.

In Figure 2 of the drawings we have illustrated another form of easel which will also support a picture. Using a piece of material the same or similar in shape to that used for the form shown in Figure 1, a short slit V2O is made crosswise and a longer slit 21 is made lengthwise, and at the lower termination of said slit 21 a score 22 is made which extends from said slit 21 to the outside edge of the easel. rifhis score 22 serves the purpose of a hinge and permits the finger 23, which is that part of the easel bounded by said slits 20 and 21 and score 22, to be moved freely. By pushing the upper edge of this finger 23 againstthe surface of the backing sheet 11.l as clearly shown in Figure t, the easel cannot be forced inwardly, as the contact of said finger against said bach provides a stop preventing the easel from being normally pushed inwardly or towards said back 11. It will thus be seen that said finger 23 provides a stop similar in effect to that provided by the finger 16, except that the direction of movement of the easel under control of said finger 23 is the opposite to that of said finger 16. To prevent said finger 23 from slipping on the surface of the back 11 both should preferably be slightly roughened on the surface, although if the position of the finger 23 is almost horizontal it will stay in place even though smooth material is used. If desired, a portion of the back 11 may be corrugated as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, in which event the finger 23 fits into the grooves 24. Ribs 25 might be formed on said baci; instead of the grooves 24 and said nger fit in between said ribs.

It will be observed that either of the two easels above described may be made from the same piece of material. Inasmuch as the stops provided by both are each desirable and assure that the easel, when placed in position to support the picture at the desired angle, will remain fixed, we have incorporated both features in one easel. .In so doing we have not added noticeably to the expense of manufacture as no extra material or additional operations are required. The fingers should coact with each other so that both stops are effective when the picture is in the desired position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Thus this coaction keeps each finger more securely in its stoppingposition, for no normal movement in either direction is permitted, and, therefore, each finger is more tightly held in place than where one finger alone is used. So long as movement in one direction is possible, as when using a single finger, there is a possibility of the finger slipping out of place when the picture is jarred or handled. rEhis perfected forni of our easel is shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 and inasmuch as the parts and provisions already described and given numerals are the same in all of the drawings, the same numerals apply to all. v

In the event that this form of easel is used to support a heavy picture frame it may be made of metal, preferably spring metal, or equipped with hinges, in place of the scores, as shown in Figure S. The hinges shown are made by inserting a pin 27 through openings made in the easel as illustrated. Vith this hinge construction more than one piece of material are used and more operations are required and, therefore, the cost of manufacture is advanced, nevertheless the simplicity and eectiveness of thestops are retained, and the cost remains relatively low when compared with others on the market.

While a specific embodiment of our invention has been illustrated and described, the invention is not to be considered as limited to the particular combination and arrangement of parts as above described except as limited in scope by the appended claims. That We claim is:

1. An easel comprising an attaching portion adapted to be secured to a backing sheet, a supporting portion connected to said attaching portion and adapted to be moved away from said backing sheet, said supporting portion comprising two fingers, one of said fingers being adapted to contact with said attaching portion and the other of said fingers being adapted to Contact with said backing sheet when said supporting portion is in supporting position whereby any normal movement of said supporting portion away from or towards said backing sheet is prevented.

2. An easel formed from a. unitary member comprising an attaching portion adapted to be attached to a backing sheet, a supporting portion movable relative to said attaching portion, a plurality of fingers, one of said fingers being adapted to contact with said attaching portion and another of said fingers being adapted to contact with said backing sheet when said supporting portion is in supporting position.

3. An easel formed from a unitary member comprising an attaching portion adapted to be secured to a backing sheet,a supporting portion, said member having a score formed therein to thereby permit said supporting portion to be moved relative to said attaching portion, said supporting portion embodying two fingers, one of said fingers being adapted to contact with said attaching portion when said supporting portion is in supporting position to thereby prevent any further normal movementof said supporting portion away from said backing sheet, said supporting portion having a score formed therein whereby another of said fingers may be moved relative to the remainder of said supporting portion, said other finger being adapted to contact with said backing sheet when the first-mentioned Contact is made to thereby prevent any movement of said supporting portion towards said backing sheet.

4. An easel comprising an attaching portion adapted to be secured to a backing sheet, a supporting portion connected to said attaching portion and adapted to be moved away from said backing sheet, a linger formed in said supporting portion having a small piece cut out at one end, said inger being adapted to contact with said upper portion when said supporting portion is in supporting position and thereby prevent any `further normal movement of said supporting portion away Jfrom said backing sheet, another finger formed in said supporting portion adapted to be moved inwardly and Contact with said backing sheet when said supporting portion is in supporting position to thereby prevent any movement of said supporting portion towards said backing sheet.

5. An easel comprising an attaching portion adapted to be secured to a backing sheet, a supporting portion, a hinge member connecting said portions and adapted to permit said supporting` portion to be moved relative to said attaching portion, a iinger formed in said supporting portion adapted to contact with said attaching portion when said supporting portion is in supporting position, an other linger, a hinge member connecting said other finger to said supporting portion, said other linger being adapted to be moved into contact with said backing sheet when the first-mentioned contact is established.

6. ln combination, an easel and a backing sheet, said backing sheet having grooves formed therein, said easel comprising an attaching portion adapted to be secured to said backing sheet, a supporting portion connected to said attaching portion and adapted to be moved awa-y from said backing sheet, said supporting portion embodying two fingers, one of said fingers being adapted to contact with said attaching portion and the other of said lingers being adapted to enter one of said grooves when said supporting portion is in supporting position whereby any normal movement of said supporting portion away from or towards said backing sheet is prevented.

7. In combination, an easel and a backing sheet, said easel comprising an upper portion adapted to be attached to said backing sheet, a supporting portion connected to said upper portion and adapted to be moved away from said backing sheet, a inger formed in an outer side of said supporting portion below the top thereof, said finger being adapted to be moved inwardly whereby one edge may Contact with a portion of said backing sheet when said supporting portion is in supporting position, said contacting portion being corrugated.

8. In combination, an easel and a backing sheet, said easel comprising an upper portion adapted to be attached to a backing sheet, a supporting portion connected to said upper portion and adapted to be moved away from said backing sheet, a finger formed in an outer side of said supporting portion below the top thereof, said finger being adapted to be moved inwardly whereby one edge may contact with a portionof said backing sheet when said supporting portion is in supporting position, said contacting portion having ribs thereon.

ROBERT EBURNE. ROBERT WIRTH. 

